U.S. patent application number 12/598251 was filed with the patent office on 2010-10-28 for electronic device restraint mechanism.
Invention is credited to Jeff A. Lev.
Application Number | 20100271761 12/598251 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39943873 |
Filed Date | 2010-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100271761 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lev; Jeff A. |
October 28, 2010 |
Electronic Device Restraint Mechanism
Abstract
A docking station comprises a sliding member accessible to a
user of the docking station and coupled to a post. The station also
comprises a locking mechanism configured to couple to a lock and
comprising a stop surface and an apparatus capable of physically
restraining an electronic device to the docking station. When the
locking mechanism and the lock are locked together, and when the
sliding member is adjusted from an unlocked status to a locked
status, the stop surface is fixed in a locked state, the stop
surface thereby fixing the post in a locked position, the post
thereby fixing the sliding member in the locked status. When the
sliding member is fixed in the locked status, the apparatus
physically restrains the electronic device to the docking
station.
Inventors: |
Lev; Jeff A.; (Houston,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY;Intellectual Property Administration
3404 E. Harmony Road, Mail Stop 35
FORT COLLINS
CO
80528
US
|
Family ID: |
39943873 |
Appl. No.: |
12/598251 |
Filed: |
February 11, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
February 11, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US08/53587 |
371 Date: |
October 30, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60916557 |
May 7, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1632
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/679.01 |
International
Class: |
H05K 7/00 20060101
H05K007/00 |
Claims
1. A docking station, comprising: a sliding member accessible to a
user of the docking station and coupled to a post; a locking
mechanism configured to couple to a lock and comprising a stop
surface; and an apparatus capable of physically restraining an
electronic device to the docking station; wherein, when the locking
mechanism and the lock are locked together, and when the sliding
member is adjusted from an unlocked status to a locked status, the
stop surface is fixed in a locked state, the stop surface thereby
fixing the post in a locked position, the post thereby fixing the
sliding member in said locked status; wherein, when the sliding
member is fixed in said locked status, the apparatus physically
restrains the electronic device to the docking station.
2. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the sliding member is
fixed in said locked status until the locking mechanism is unlocked
from the lock.
3. The docking station of claim 1, wherein, when the sliding member
is adjusted toward said locked status, the post pushes against the
stop surface, thereby pushing the stop surface in a first
direction, and when the sliding member is in the locked status, a
spring in the locking mechanism pushes the stop surface in a second
direction, thereby locking the post in the locked position.
4. The docking station of claim 1, wherein, when fixed in said
locked position, the post keeps a locking bracket coupled to said
post locked; wherein, when kept locked, the locking bracket
prevents an ejector bar from ejecting the electronic device;
wherein, when the ejector bar is prevented from ejecting the
electronic device, the apparatus physically restrains the
electronic device to the docking station.
5. The docking station of claim 4, wherein, when the sliding member
is adjusted from the unlocked status to the locked status, a
position of another post coupled to the sliding member is adjusted
within an angled cam, thereby causing the locking bracket to be
locked.
6. The docking station of claim 4, wherein the locking mechanism
keeps said post locked using a spring-mounted, angled stop
surface.
7. The docking station of claim 6, wherein the post is unlocked by
adjusting said sliding member from the unlocked status to the
locked status when the locking mechanism is locked to said
lock.
8. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the docking station
comprises a notebook computer docking station.
9. The docking station of claim 1, wherein, when the sliding member
is in said locked status but said locking mechanism is not locked
to said lock, an ejector bar is able to eject said electronic
device from the docking station.
10. A system, comprising: a locking mechanism that couples to a
first component; a sliding member accessible to a user of the
system, the sliding member couples to a second component; and an
apparatus that is able to physically restrain an electronic device
to the system; wherein, when the sliding member is adjusted from an
unlocked position to a locked position after coupling a lock to
said locking mechanism, the first component keeps the second
component in a locked status and the second component causes the
apparatus to physically restrain the electronic device to the
system; wherein the apparatus ceases to physically restrain the
electronic device to the system only when the lock is uncoupled
from the locking mechanism.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the apparatus does not
physically restrain the electronic device to the system if the
sliding member is adjusted from the unlocked position to the locked
position before coupling the lock to said locking mechanism.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein the system comprises a notebook
computer docking station.
13. The system of claim 10, wherein the apparatus comprises a hook
that couples to said electronic device, and wherein said electronic
device comprises a notebook computer.
14. A system, comprising: means for positioning a component in a
position; means for locking said component into said position;
means for physically restraining an electronic device to said
system when said component is locked into said first position;
wherein the means for physically restraining restrains said
electronic device to the system until the means for locking
releases the component from said first position.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the system comprises a computer
docking station.
16. The system of claim 14, wherein, when locked to a lock, the
means for locking remains in a locked state; wherein, when the
means for locking is kept in the locked state, said component keeps
a locking bracket coupled to said component in a locked position;
wherein, when kept in a locked position, the locking bracket
prevents ejection means from ejecting the electronic device;
wherein, when the ejection means is prevented from ejecting the
electronic device, the means for physically restraining physically
restrains the electronic device to the system.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein, when the means for positioning
is adjusted from an unlocked status to a locked status, a position
of a second component coupled to the means for positioning is
adjusted within an angled cam, thereby causing the locking bracket
to be positioned in said locked position.
18. The system of claim 16, wherein the means for locking keeps
said component in the position using a spring-mounted, angled stop
surface.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the component is moved to said
position by adjusting said means for positioning from an unlocked
status to a locked status when the means for locking is locked to
said lock.
20. The system of claim 14, wherein, when the means for positioning
is in a locked position but said means for locking is not locked to
a lock, ejection means is able to eject said electronic device from
the system.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of, and
incorporates by reference, provisional application Ser. No.
60/916,557, filed May 7, 2007, and entitled "Two-Stage Security
Lock for Notebook Docking Station."
BACKGROUND
[0002] Portable devices, such as notebook computers, are
susceptible to theft. Various locking mechanisms may be available
by which such portable devices can be physically restrained to
structures, such as docking stations, furniture, etc. Such
restraint and locking mechanisms occupy space which is at a premium
in portable devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] For a detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the
invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings
in which:
[0004] FIG. 1 shows an illustrative notebook computer resting on
top of a docking station, in accordance with various
embodiments;
[0005] FIG. 2 shows the notebook computer of FIG. 1 in locking
engagement with the docking station, in accordance with various
embodiments;
[0006] FIG. 3 shows an illustrative embodiment of a portion of the
docking station, in accordance with various embodiments;
[0007] FIG. 4 shows an illustrative ejector mechanism, in
accordance with various embodiments;
[0008] FIGS. 5 and 6 show different views of an illustrative
sliding member, in accordance with various embodiments;
[0009] FIGS. 7 and 8 show an illustrative locking mechanism in an
unlocked position, in accordance with various embodiments; and
[0010] FIG. 9 illustrates the locking mechanism of FIGS. 7 and 8 in
a locked position, in accordance with various embodiments.
NOTATION AND NOMENCLATURE
[0011] Certain terms are used throughout the following description
and claims to refer to particular system components. As one skilled
in the art will appreciate, computer companies may refer to a
component by different names. This document does not intend to
distinguish between components that differ in name but not
function. In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms
"including" and "comprising" are used in an open-ended fashion, and
thus should be interpreted to mean "including, but not limited to .
. . ." Also, the term "couple" or "couples" is intended to mean
either an indirect, direct, optical or wireless electrical
connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device,
that connection may be through a direct electrical connection,
through an indirect electrical connection via other devices and
connections, through an optical electrical connection, or through a
wireless electrical connection. A "docking station" may broadly be
defined as any apparatus to which a computer (e.g., a notebook
computer or laptop computer) may couple. In some embodiments, a
"docking station" may be defined as a base into which
laptop/notebook computers may be plugged when at a fixed location.
In some embodiments, a "docking station" may be defined as a
receptacle for a portable computer that allows the computer to
connect to accessories such as monitors and keyboards when used as
a desktop computer. Other well-known definitions for "docking
stations" also may be used.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a locking
mechanism that can be used to physically restrain portable devices
(e.g., notebook computers, docking stations) to immovable or
difficult-to-move structures (e.g., furniture), thereby preventing
theft of the portable devices. The disclosed embodiments are
advantageous at least because of their conservative use of portable
device real estate.
[0013] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an illustrative notebook computer 10
resting on top of a docking station 12. In turn, the docking
station 12 rests on top of a surface such as a table 14. The table
14 comprises one or more legs 16 or other structures by which the
docking station may be restrained. In other embodiments, the
docking station 12 may rest on top of other types of immovable or
difficult-to-move objects, including desks, computer anchors,
walls, various types of furniture, etc.
[0014] The docking station 12 comprises a sliding member 20. In
some embodiments, the sliding member 20 comprises a switch having a
user-accessible surface that protrudes beyond a surface 13 of the
docking station 12. The sliding member 20 may be of any suitable
shape (e.g., a rectangular prism) and size (e.g., between 0.5 cm
and 3 cm in length, between 0.25 cm and 2 cm in height and between
0.25 cm and 6 cm in depth). The sliding member 20 can be slid in
the direction of arrow 21 from an unlocked position (U) to a locked
position (L). When the sliding member 20 is in the locked position,
the notebook computer 10 is locked to the docking station and
cannot be removed without damaging the computer and docking
station. In accordance with various embodiments, the sliding member
20 is maintained in the locked position L by action of a docking
station lock 23, shown in FIG. 2. The lock 23 is inserted into slot
22 and turned, for example, with a key. The lock 23 couples to a
cable 25 which, in turn, couples to any suitable, immovable (or
difficult-to-move) object, such as leg 16 of the table 14. In this
way, the lock 23 locks the docking station 12 to the table 14 and
also prevents the sliding member 20 from returning to the unlocked
position U. By maintaining the sliding member 20 in the locked
position L, the notebook computer 10 is locked to the docking
station. One lock (23) thereby performs two locking functions: the
locking of the notebook computer 10 to the docking station 12, and
the locking of the docking station 12 to the table 14.
[0015] FIG. 3 shows an interior view of a portion of the docking
station 12. The view in FIG. 3 is oriented as indicated by arrows
11 in FIGS. 1-3. The sliding member 20 is shown in the upper
left-hand portion of the figure. An ejector bar 30 is also shown.
As described in detail below, the ejector bar 30 slides to the left
(i.e., in the direction of arrow 31) to cause the notebook computer
10 (not specifically shown in FIG. 3) to be ejected (e.g., pushed
away) from the docking station 12.
[0016] FIG. 4 shows another view of the ejector bar 30. The ejector
bar 30 is caused to slide to the left (i.e., in the direction of
arrow 31) by an end-user forcing ejector push member 32 to the
right (in the direction of arrow 33). The ejector bar 30 and
ejector push member 32 couple together by member 36. Member 38
couples to ejector bar 30 and to another ejector bar not shown in
FIG. 4. Member 38 pivots about pivot point 40. When ejector push
member 32 is pushed in the direction of arrow 33, the ejector bar
30 is forced to move in the direction of arrow 31. The ejector bar
30 comprises one or more hooks 47 that catch a bottom surface of
the notebook computer 12 (e.g., using one or more corresponding
orifices on the bottom surface of the notebook computer 12). The
ejector bar 30 also comprises one or more plungers 50. As the
ejector bar 30 is moved in the direction of the arrow 31, the hooks
47 pull back slightly to release from the notebook computer 12. As
the ejector bar 30 is forced further in the direction of the arrow
31, the plungers 50 are forced upward by ramps 52 (no plunger is
shown at the left-most plunger ramp 52). The upward force of the
plungers pushes against the notebook computer 12, thereby
separating the notebook computer 12 from the docking station.
[0017] FIGS. 5 and 6 show top and bottom views, respectively, of
the sliding member 20. The sliding member 20 comprises a transverse
post 67 and a pair of vertical posts 65 and 68 protruding downward
from the bottom of the sliding member 20. The transverse post 67
and vertical posts 65 and 68 may be of any suitable shape (e.g.,
cylindrical) and size (e.g., with radii between 1 mm and 5 mm and
lengths between 5 mm and 40 mm).
[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates the sliding member 20 engaging a locking
bracket 75. The locking bracket 75 comprises an angled cam groove
77 in which the bottom end of the post 65 resides. As the sliding
member 20 is slid to the right (in the direction of arrow 79), the
rightward motion of post 65 in angled cam groove 77 forces the
locking bracket 75 in an orthogonal direction, as indicated by
arrow 81. A spring 70 is disposed on transverse post 67 to apply
pressure in the direction opposite the direction identified by
arrow 79. Spring 70 causes the sliding member 20 to naturally
reside in the unlocked position U. The angled cam groove 77, in
some embodiments, is of an oval shape, has a length of between 4 mm
and 20 mm and a depth of between 2 mm and 8 mm.
[0019] FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom view of sliding member 20,
ejector bar 30, locking bracket 75 and stop member 90. The stop
member 90 comprises an angled stop surface 92 and a spring 95. The
angled stop surface 92 may be of a substantially triangular shape
or of a quadrilateral shape with all but one side parallel and/or
perpendicular to the other sides. The size of the angled stop
surface 92 ranges between 15 sq. mm and 45 sq. mm. The lock 23
(shown in FIG. 2) is inserted at slot 22. When inserted, the lock
23 causes the stop member 90 to slide in the direction of arrow 94.
When the lock 23 is removed, spring 95 forces the stop member 90 in
the direction opposite that of arrow 94. The placement of stop
member 90 is in an unlocked position. The ejector bar 30 is free to
move left and right as needed to lock and eject the notebook
computer 10 to/from the docking station 12.
[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates the stop member 90 in a locked position
due to the action of lock 23 (shown in FIG. 2). Spring 95 is
compressed. When the stop member 90 is pushed into the position
shown in FIG. 9, the post 68 from the sliding member is at position
100. As the end-user slides the sliding member 20 (using, for
example, a finger) in the direction of arrow 21, the post 68 moves
from position 100 to position 102. In so moving from position 100
to position 102, the post 68 pushes against angled stop surface 92,
which forces the stop surface 92 upward in the direction of arrow
101. This action further compresses spring 95. When the post 68 is
pushed to position 102, the angled stop surface 92 is forced
downward by the action of spring 95. The left edge 105 of angled
stop surface 92 prevents the post 68 from returning back to
position 100. The sliding member 20 is then locked in locking
position L.
[0021] The action of forcing the sliding member 20 in the direction
of arrow 21 causes locking bracket 75 to move downward in the
direction of arrow 81, as explained above. Because the sliding
member 20 becomes locked in locking position L, the locking bracket
75 also becomes locked in the position illustrated in FIG. 9. The
bottom portion 110 of the locking bracket 75 thereby provides a
locking surface that prevents the ejector bar 30 from moving to the
right in the direction of arrow 103. Because the ejector bar 30
cannot move in the direction of arrow 103, the hooks 47 do not
disengage and the plungers 50 are not pushed upward. Accordingly,
the notebook computer 10 is locked in place on docking station 12
until the lock 23 is removed. Removal of lock 23 permits the
various aforementioned pieces to return to their unlocked states,
which then permits full use of the ejector bar 30. When the lock 23
is removed, spring 111 returns locking bracket 75 back to its
unlocked position, as shown in FIG. 8.
[0022] The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the
principles and various embodiments of the present invention.
Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those
skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully
appreciated.
* * * * *